Means for operating aerial cameras for making flashlight aerial photographs



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Jan. 22, 1946. o. STEINER 2,393,575

MEANS FOR OPERATING AERIAL CAMERAS FOR MAKING FLASHLIGHT AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS Filed Jan. 6, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet l 'i'iii'ii: "Willi" ummmm HHIIHIIIIHH w INYENTOR. ajGar 5256 14 7* 'd$ ATTORNEYS Jan. 22, 1946. o. STEINER MEANS FOR OPERATING AERIAL CAMERAS FOR MAKING FLASHLIGHT AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 6, 1944 Jan. 22, 1946. go. STEINER 2,393,575

MEANS FOR OPERATING AERIAL CAMERAS FOR MAKING FLASHLIGHT AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS Filed Jan. 6, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 I n I 11H 1, IIIIIJQM m Jan. 22, 1946. o. STEINER 2,393,575

MEANS FOR OPERATING AERIAL CAMERAS FOR MAKING FLASHL-IGHT AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS Filed Jan. 6, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR; 912 inc 1946- o. STEINER A 2,393,575

' MEANS FOR OPERATING AERIAL CAMERAS FOR MAKI NGYFLASHLIGHT AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS v Filed Jan. 6, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.6 I Fig. 9.

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. BY ZQ @%QAQ4 O. STEINER MEANS FOR OPERATING AERIAL CAMERAS FOR MAKING FLASHLIGHT .AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS Jan. 22, 1946.

Filed Jan. 6, 1944 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. ascalrSiezLrzerf 74% JAM; Zzislifioz'neys. R

Jan. 22, 1946.

0. STEINER MEANS FOR OPERATING AERIAL CAMERAS FOR MAKING FLASHLIGHT AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS .Filed'Jan. 6, 1944 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 AMP Iuvenioy. 0600? 61742232462,

. aerial photographs.

Patented Jan. 22, 1946 MEANS FOR OPERATING CAMERAS FOR MAKING FLASHLIGHT AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS Oscar Steiner, Rochester, N. Y., asslgnor to Graflex, 1110., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application January 6, 1944, Serial No. 517,186

32 Claims.

This invention relates to improved means for operating an aerial camera for making flashlight For this disclosure, I am showing my invention as applied to a camera that is the subject-matter of a co-pending application, Ser. No. 476,456, now patent No. 2,371,592, March 13, 1945, in which I appear as co-inventor. Practically all of the structure herein disclosed is shown and described in the above-mentioned application, but the subject-matter claimed by this application was not claimed therein, nor is my herein claimed invention limited to the use of the camera shown in said co-pending application.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the camera, clearly showing the electrical control panel thereof;

Fig. 2 is a left side elevation of F g. P y in transverse section, and having some parts removed most clearly to show the shutter rewindlng mechanism, the capping gate latching mechanism being also shown as in condition to engage the capping gate means after they have been opened and start to close;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through Fig. 1 showing the capping gate means in the open condition and held from closing by the synchronizer mechanism, the shutter curtain being shown with the full open aperture in position to cause an exposure of the sensitized material;

Fig. 4 is a detail of the shutter curtain showin the several exposure apertures;

Fig. 5 is a detail in elevation of the'capping gate control mechanism mounted on the electrical control panel itself shown removed from the camera and viewed as from the inside of the camera;

Fig. 6 is a section through Fig. 5 on the line 6-45 thereof, showing the capping gate latching mechanism in its inactive condition or day cycle;

Fig. '7 is a; view similar to Fig. 6, but with the capping gate latching mechanism placed in active or latching condition and capping gate means about to be engaged by said mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view partly in section of the capping gate latching mechanism after the capping gate means has been released and also clearly showing the electrical switch;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but showing the capping gate means engaged by the latchin mechanism, the electrical switch being shown in condition to break the motor circuit;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7' but with the parts in adifierent position, and is a side elevation oi Fig. 9;

F18. 11 isa circuit cuit and the control circuit} H diagram of the camera cir- Fig. 11A is a circuit diagram similar to Fig. 11, but containing a photocell, amplifier and relay insteadof the intervalometer; and

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the camera, mainly in transverse section, with certain parts broken away to show the camera drive mechanism and motor control switch for operating the camera.

1"he important objects of this invention are: to provide a structure for a camera particularly of the aerial type wherein said camera can be caused to have its usual cycle of operationmodified for the purpose of making flashlight exposures; to provide means for holding open the capping gate mechanism of a camera thatwould otherwise normally close; to provide means for changing the conditions in an electrical circuit when the capping gate are open; to provide means for camera body is indicated at 20 and the magazine portion at 2|, it being provided with a magazine cover 22 held in place by screws 23, 23. "A shutter setting knob is indicated at 24 and a film supply indicator switch housing at 25, the latter being held in proper relation to the magazine portion 2| by screws 26, 26, the said magazine portion being held to the camera body 20 by a series of screws or bolts 21, 21. A motor circuit fuseis'indicated at 28, it being fitted to a fuse block-29 havingfuse clips 30, 30 and fuses enclosed by a cover 3| held in place by means of screws 32.; A camera motor relay cover is indi cated at 33, it being held in place by screw 34. A receptacle for a signal lamp is indicated at 35 and amotor drive housing at 36 having a cover 31 attached by a screw 38. A flexible shaft connection is indicated at 39 and a second mechanism housing cover is indicated at 40. An intervalometerj receptacle is indicated at4 I, a motor receptacle at 42, a power receptacle at 43, a motor operating button at 44 and a day and night control at 45, to be referred to more particularly such control knob is in the opposite position the camera functions in what is known as the night cycle, wherein there is a compensatingl longer exposure period. An index mark is indicated at 46 that is used in connection with the control knob 45.

The specified parts M to 46 are mounted on a synchronizer mechanism panel or plate 41 which is desirably a casting of any suitable material held to the camera body by screws 48, 48. Attached to the camera body 20 is a lens cone 49 of usual construction and hence not requiring further description.

In Fig. 2 is shown the camera mechanism for rewinding the shutter, for feeding a new area of film, for releasing the shutter and for opening the capping gates, all of which mechanism constitutes no direct part of the present invention, but it is necessary to describe fully the operation of the camera with respect to the various mechanisms thereof so that the invention herein claimed will be fully understood.

Referring particularl to Fig, 2 and also to Fig. l, the camera magazine portion 2| has provided on the left-hand end thereof viewing Fig. l, a housing structure 50 for housing the said magazine portion ZI, the said housing being provided with a cover 5I held to the housing 50 by suitable screws engaging threaded Openings 52, 52. The said housing 50 has an inner wall 53 on which the camera mechanism is mounted, and which inner wall will be hereinafter referred to as the mechanism support plate.

Mounted upon said mechanism support plate 53 is a gear 54 by means of a shoulder screw 55, said gear 54 being provided with a series of pins 56 that engage the motor drive mechanism and such parts will be more fully referred to when describing the appropriate part of the camera mechanism. The said gear 54 meshes with a pinion 51 attached to a gear 58 and turning as a unit on a shoulder screw 59. The said gear 58 meshes with a film clutch gear 60, shown in dotted lines, and meshing with an idler gear 6|. The said clutch gear 60 is mounted on a film take-up shaft 62 and is connected to the shaft 62 by means of a clutch mechanism for driving the film spool. The said idler gear BI is mounted on a shoulder screw or stud 63, and also pivotally mounted on said screw or stud 68 is a movable arm or lever 64 carrying a gear 65 and a pinion 66, the said gear 65 being held to the arm or lever 64 by a shoulder rivet 61, and the pinion 66 being held to the movable arm or lever 64 by a suitable stud and screw 68.

The said pinion 66 meshes with a shutter rewind gear 69 when the shutter is being rewound, and is disengaged therefrom when making an exposure. The said shutter rewind gear 69 meshes with a shutter curtain roller pinion I0, the said shutter rewind gear 69 being provided with a latch plate II having a notch I2 engaged by a pawl 13 of a shutter release lever I4 when the shutter is in a fully rewound condition. The said shutter release lever I4 is pivoted on a shoulder screw I5 on the mechanism support plate 53, and it is caused to be turned in a contraclockwise direction by a spring 14a. The said shutter release lever I4 is operated by a shutter release link I6 attached to the movable arm or lever 64 by screws TI, TI, The said movable arm or lever 64 is operated through a link I8, a bell crank I9 and a pin of the capping gate operating disk indicated in dotted lines at 8|. The said capping gate operating disk 8| is pivoted on a suitable shoulder screw 82 attached to the mechanism support plate 53, and it is provided with a pinion 83, shown in dotted lines, and engaged by a gear 84, also shown in dotted lines, carried by a stud 85 attached to the said mechanism support plate 53. Attached to the said gear 84, in any suitable manner, is an arm 86, shown in full lines, having a lengthwise extending slot 81 receiving a pin 88 of the motor drive and control mechanism to be hereinafter referred to more in detail.

When the gear 54 is turned in a contraclockwise direction, the shutter rewind gear 69 will also be turned in a contraclockwise directionthrough the described gear train, and the shutter rewind pinion I0 will be caused to turn in a clockwise direction until the shutter is fully rewound, at which time the notch I2 of the shutter release plate II will be engaged by the projection I3 of the shutter release lever 14 and the shutter will then be in fully rewound condition.

When the gear 84 is turned by means of the pin 88 of the motor drive and control mechanism, and the lever 86 is accordingly moved in a clockwise direction, the pinion 83 will be caused to turn in a contraclockwise direction, carrying with it the capping gate operating disk 8 The said pin 08 will cause the bell crank I9 to be turned in a clockwise direction, thus disengaging the gear 66 from the shutter rewind gear 69, and at the same time the shutter release lever I4 will be turned in a clockwise direction through the link I6, thus disengaging the projection I3 of the lever I4 from the notch I2 and from the shutter release plate 'II. The shutter curtain will now be allowed to run down because of the tension roller 89 thereof, shown in Fig. 3.

Referring further to Fig. 3 of the drawings, the shutter curtain rollers and the shutter curtain are shown in section therein, the shutter tension roller being indicated at 99, the shutter 40 tension roller spring at 90, the tension roller shaft at 9I, the shutter curtain at 92, one shutter curtain idler at 93 and another shutter curtain idler at 94. The shutter curtain take-up roller I is indicated at 95 and the shutter curtain takeup roller shaft at 96.

Between the camera body 20 and the magazine portion 2| is fitted a plate 91 provided with an opening 98 through which light passes when making an exposure. Pivoted to the said plate 91 are capping gate hinges 99 and I00 by means of pins IOI and I02 respectively. The said hinge 99 is caused to be rotated in a contraclockwise direction viewing Fig. 3 by a spring I03, and the said hinge I00 is caused to be turned in a clockwise direction by means of a similar spring I04.

Attached to the said hinge 99 is a capping gate I05 of plate-like form that may be referred to as of a general pan-shaped formation, and attached to the said hinge I00 is a capping gate I06 desirably of a similar formation. When the said capping gates I05, I06 are in closed condition, they will close the light entrance opening 98 to prevent the passage of light through the camera lens to the sensitized material. The said capping gates I05, I06 are shown in closed condition in dotted lines in Fig. 2, in which figure there is shown attached to the hinge member 99 by a shoulder rivet I0! a capping gate operating link I08, the opposite end of which link is attached to the capping gate operating disk III by a shoulder rivet I09. The said capping gate hinge I00 has attached thereto by means of a shoulder rivet IIO an arm III, the opposite end whereof is attached to the capping gate operating disk 8| by means of a shoulder rivet I I2.

When the said gear 84 is turned in a clockwise direction for releasing the shutter, the'capping gate operating disk BI is turned in a contraclockwise direction, thus opening the capping gates I05, I through the said connecting arms I08 and III. .In Fig. 3 the said capping gates are represented as open for releasing the shutter.

The camera mechanism herein disclosed is such that the capping gates are caused to be opened and remain open during the time the shutter is operated. For flashlight photography, it is desirable that the capping gates be held open for a short period during the making of a flashlight exposure, the length of this period being greater than the period of time the capping gates would be open during the normal cycle. Therefore, it is necessary to provide means for so holding the capping gates open for flashlight photography, and it is to the means for accomplishing this that the present invention is more particularly directed.

It will be evident that if the capping gates were held open in a normal cycle and the motor electrical circuit were not interrupted but were allowed to continue through a normal cycle, the camera would be injured. I have therefore, in accordance with m invention herein claimed, provided mechanism for engaging the capping gate means, as, for example, one of the two capping gates, and holding the same open, and thereby holding the other capping gate open, and at the same time causing the electrical circuit through the driving motor to be broken. Such mechanism for engaging and holding the capping gate means is, in accordance with my present invention, so constructed and arranged that it can be placed in action or out of action as desired, so that the camera can function in a normal manner or may be adjusted to provide a modified cycle for the making of flashlight exposures.

To that end the shutter curtain 32, shown in detail in Fig. 4, is provided with an enlarged opening H3 50 that when making flashlight exposures the light passing through the lens of the camera is unobstructed either by the capping gates or by the curtain shutter, and therefore will fall without interference on the sensitized film indicated at I I4.

The said shutter 92 is fully described in the said copending application Ser. No. 476,456, and needs no further description herein, as the details thereof do not constitute a part of the present invention.

I will now refer particularly to the mechanism shown in Figs. 3 to of the drawings, and particularly in Figs. 5 to 10 thereof.

Attached to the synchronizer mechanism panel or plate 41 is a solenoid magnet II5, shown in greatest detail in Figs. 6, '1 and 10. It is provided with the usual winding H8, shown in Fig. 10, a fixed core H1 and a movable armature II8 free to move in a tube I I9. The upper end of the said armature I I8 is provided with an enlarged flange I20 and a hook-shaped member I2 I, and is caused to move in an upward direction by a coil spring I22. The said solenoid magnet I I5 is attached to the synchronizer mechanism panel or plate 41 by a bracket I23 and screws I24. The motion of the armature H8 is limited in an upward direction by a pin I25 attached to or forming part of a shaft I26 provided with a flange I21 and anaxial extension-I20 reaching in a right-hand direction viewing Figs. 6 and 10. The said extension I28 has bothsides thereof, milled to Provide flats to which the knob 45 is fitted, and to the end of said'extension I28 is fitted awasher I30 between which and the knob 45, and surrounding the said extension I28, is a coiled spring I3I serving to position the knob 45 against the outside face of the panel or plate 41 and to position the flange I21 against the inside face of the'said panel or plate 41. The said knob 45 carries a pin I32 and the panel or plate 41 is provided with index holes I33, I34. When the said pin I32 is in the index hole I34, the stop pin I25 will be in the position shown in Fig. 10, thus allowing the armature to move in an upward direction sufficiently far to cause a pivoted hook member I35 to engage a latch I36 attached to one of the capping gates, in this embodiment of the invention the capping gate I05.

The hook member I35 is provided with a pin I31 acted upon by the hook formation I2I of the armature H8. The opposite end of the hook member I35 is of an L-shape formation and is provided with a transversely extending slotted opening I38, shown in Figs. 6, '1 and 10, through which passes a pin I33 providing a pivot for the said hook member I35. The said pivot pin I30 also passes through a boss I40 provided with a slot I4I-, shown in Figs. 8 and 9, into which the said hook member I35 is fitted.

When the said knob is in the position shown in Fig. 6, the said pivoted hook member I35 will be held out of engagement with the latch I38, as clearly indicated in Figs. 6 and '1, at which time the pin I32 will engage the index hole I33 of the panel or plate 41. When the knob 45 is in the just described position, shown in Fig. 6, the camera will function in the normal manner or in what is known as the day cycle. When, however, the knob 45 is placed in the position indicated in Figs. 3, '1 and 10, the camera is adjusted for night cycle operation.

Cast integral with the synchronizer panel or plate 41 are bosses or brackets I42, I42, to which a single-pole double-throw switch, indicated at I43, is attached by screws I44, I44. The said switch I43 is a, standard switch known in the trade as the Acro-Switch, and it is provided with two stationary contacts I45, I45, and a movable contact I 41 attached to a spring member I48 actuated through a short spring I49 and a semicircular spring I50 through a switch-operatingpin I5I.

When the said pivoted hook member I35 is engaged by the latch member I36 of the capping gate I06 and said capping gate starts to close, the said hook member I35 is moved in a left-hand direction viewing Fig. 9 on the pin I39, and because of the slotted opening I38, the heel I52 of the hook member I35 engages the pin I5I and moves it in a left-hand direction viewing Figs. 9 and 10, thus deforming the spring I49 in a lefthand direction and causing the position of the semicircular spring I50 to be changed, so that the forces acting upon spring member I48 will be such as to cause said spring member I48 to be moved to the right viewing said Figs. 9 and 10, thus opening the motor circuit and stopping the camera. This action will be described at greater length in connection with the description of the operation of the camera.

When the switch contacts are in the position shown in Fig. 9, the motor circuit is open, but a circuit is partially completed to the solenoid winding I I6. Upon completing such circuit, the armature II8 will be caused to be moved downward and the pin I31 will be engaged by the hook I 2I,

thus moving the hook member I35 in a' downward direction, disengaging the latching plate I36 the capping gate I06 and allowing the two cappingv gates I05, I06 to close. The hook member I35 will now be caused to move in a right-hand direction, viewing the said figures, under the influence of spring I48, allowing the switch-operating pin II also to move in a right-hand direction until the parts reach the condition shown in Fig. 8, wherein the spring member I48 has been moved to the left to complete the motor circuit and closing the contacts I 46, I41, thus causing the camera cycle again to be restored.

The camera to which my present invention is applied is herein shown and described as a motor driven camera having a normal cycle of operation. That is to say, the shutter is rewound for a second exposure, a new area of film is fed or positioned before the exposure opening, and the camera is then caused to stop by interrupting an electrical circuit to the motor. Upon completion of that circuit to start a new cycle, the capping gates are caused to be opened, and the shutter is then released for making an exposure. After the exposure has been made, the capping gates I05, I06 are caused to be closed, a new area of film is fed or wound into place, the shutter is restored to a set conditon and the camera is again stopped.

The motor drive mechanism 40 is shown or indicated in Fig. 12, but I have not therein shown the motor itself or the flexible shaft that transmits power from the motor to the camera drive mechanism, this being fully disclosed in the said co-pending application now Patent No. 2,371,592, and not being herein claimed.

It is sufficient for the purpose of explaining my present invention to show and describe the mechanism of Fig. 12, reference being also briefly made to Figs. 1 to 2.

The flexible shaft housing is connected to the bushing 39 by a suitable nut and extending through the said housing is a flexible shaft having a squared end that engages a suitable opening I52 of a bushing I53 pinned to a shaft I54 by a pin I55. Suitably attached to the said shaft I54 is a worm I56 meshing with a worm gear I51 having pivotally attached thereto a pawl I58 by rivet I59'and caused to be turned in a clockwise direction by a spring I60. The said pawl I58 engages a ratchet ISI attached to a first interrupted gear I62 meshing with which is a second interrupted gear I63 driven one-half revolution or 180 for each revolution of the said first interrupted gear I 62. Attached to the second interrupted gear I63 is a drive plate I63a, shown in dotted line, and serving to drive the gear 54 through the pins 56 as indicated in Fig. 2.

Attached to the first interrupted gear I62 is a cam I64 having a cut-out portion I65, said cam being for the purpose of operating the motor switch I66 which is a single-pole double-throw switch of a construction preferably identical with the switch I43. Said switch I66 is provided with contacts I61, I 68 and I69. Riding on the said cam I64 is a switch operating pin I having a shoulder HI and a spring I12 positioned between the shoulder HI and the body of motor switch I66 and causing the pin I10 to be moved in a right-hand direction so that it can follow the contour of the cam I64. In said Fig. 12, the switch I66 is shown in the condition it has at the completion of a cycle. That is to say, the contacts I68 and I69 will be opened and the contacts I61 and I69 will be closed.

Attached to and revolving with the first interrupted gear I62 is a pin I13 that co-acts with a camera-operating member I14 co-acting (as shown in Fig. 2) with the pin 88 of the shutter release lever 86 for operating the capping gates and for releasing the shutter. As the first interrupted gear I62 starts to turn, the camera.- operating member I14 will be caused to rotate in a contraclockwise direction by means of the pin I13, and the shutter release lever 86 will be caused to be rotated in a clockwise direction by the pin 88,thusopeningthecappinggates I05, I06 and releasing the shutter. As the said first interrupted gear I82 continues to turn, the pin I13 will pass beyond the end of the operating lever I14, allowing the capping gates I05, I06 again to close. The said first interrupted gear I62 will continue to operate until the notch I65 reaches the pin I10, and this causes the contacts I68 and I68 to be opened. The camera will then be caused to stop because of the breaking or interrupting of the electrical circuit to the motor.

I will next describe the circuit diagram that is shown in Fig. 11, and then I will explain completely the operation of my invention that is herein claimed.

There is shown in Fig. 11 a complete circuit diagram of the camera to which the herein claimed invention has been applied without limiting it thereto, and said circuit diagram includes diagrammatically the subject-matter of the present invention.

A battery for supplying electrical energy to the camera is indicated at I15, and at I16, I11 are indicated wires normally connected to the camera driving motor. For the purpose of the present description, it will be assumed that they are so connected and that the driving motor is connected to the film feeding mechanism through a suitable flexible shaft as hereinbefore indicated. Located upon the camera and enclosed by the box-like formation 33, shown in Fig. 1, there is indicated a relay I18 for controlling the electrical current to the motor, and having a solenoid coil I180. A signal light to indicate to the operator that the camera is functioning is indicated at I19 and at I80 is indicated a switch placed in the operating circuit to prevent the camera from operating after all the film has been exhausted.

Since such switch I80 forms no part of the present herein-claimed invention, it will be assumed for the purpose of this description that said switch I80 is always in the closed condition. As already stated, there is shown at M a receptacle provided for the connection of an intervalometer through the cable NH. The receptacle through which the motor is connected to a suitable plug is indicated at 42, and the receptacle through which the power supply is connected through the usual plug is indicated at 43. The fuse 28 is placed at One side of the electrical circuit for protection against overload, short circuits, etc.

It will be assumed that the camera is ready for making an exposure, and that the camera mechanism will be in the condition shown in Fig. 2, and that the motor drive mechanism will be in the condition shown in Fig. 12. The cycle-selecting knob 45 will be in position to indicate the day cycle rather than the night cycle, as actually indicated in Fig. 1. In the described position of the parts, the solenoid armature I I5 will be inoperative as previously described. Therefore, the contacts I41 and I45 of the switch I48 will be open and the contacts I46 and I41 will be closed. To enable the operator to operate the camera without completing the circuit through the intervalometer, a switch I82 is provided having contacts I83 and I 84 which are closed to start a cycle or to make an exposure. Current will then flow from battery I15 through wire. I86, receptacle 43, wire I81, fuse 28, wire I88, wire I89, wire I96, contact I84, contact I83, wire I9I, switch I86, wire I92, contact I61, contact I69, and wire I93, through the solenoid of the relay I18a,-wire I94,

wire I95, contact I46, contact I41, switch arm'- I48, wire I96, wire I91, receptacle 43,v wire I98, and thence to the battery I15. This completes a circuit through the relay I18 and will close the contactsin the relay at which time current will flow to the motor in the manner which will now be described. I

Current will now flow from battery I15 through wire I98,.receptacle 43, wire I91, receptacle 42, wire I16 and thence through the motor (not shown), wire I11, receptacle 42, wire I99, through the contacts of the relay I18, then through wire I89, wire I88, fuse 28, wire I81, receptacle 43, wire I86 and battery I15. The motor will now start to operate and will turn the first interrupted gear I62 and the cam I64 until the motor switch I66 is caused to be operated through the pin I16.

The contacts of the motor switch I66 will now I be in the condition shown in Fig. 11, wherein the circuit is. represented as having been broken between the contacts I61 and I69, but contact has been made between the contacts I69 and I68. The circuit to the relay will now be completed around the switch I82 through the wire 266, wire 26I to the wire I88, through the fuse 28, etc. and back to the battery. The motor will continue to operate even though the contacts I83. and I84 of the switch I82 have been opened, until the'notch I65 of the cam I64 reaches the position indicated in Fig. 12, wherein the switch operating pin I16 will be moved to the right by the spring I12, thus openin the motor circuit and stopping the motor.

the motor setting knob 24 and the cycle selector knob is erating the button 44 of the switch I82, but when making night photographs the camera is usually operated through an intervalometer of any well known type such as that disclosed in the patent to Sherman M. Fai rchild. No. 2.048.039. or any other suitable intervalometer. I r The intervalometer consists of a driving motor and contacting means that can be set for different intervals of time. For the purpose of this description I herein show a simple circuit of an intervalometer'enclosed in dotted lines, Fig.11,

and indicated at 262, it being provided with a switch 263 for closing the circuit from the battery to the motor of the intervalometer. Such switch is usually closed by automatic means connected to the bomb-releasing mechanism of the airplane carrying the camera, but it can be momentarily closed by the bombardier when the bomb is released.

The intervalometer motor 264 will be caused to operate and at a predetermined time the switch 265 will be closed, thus completing the circuit around the switch I82 through the wire 266, wire 261, switch 265, wire 269and wire MI. The switch I82 will then be short circuited and will perform just as if the contacts I83 and I84 were closed, thus causing the camera to cycle in the manner previously disclosed. That is to say, the camera motor will start to operate, turning the gear I51 and the cam I64 until the switch operating pin I16 is caused to be moved to th left by cam I64, thus closing the contacts I68 and I69, thereby completing the circuit to the motor through the motor switch I66. The camera motor will now continue to operate even though the switch 265 is opened by the intervalometer. As the camera continues to operate, the pin I13 carried by the first interrupted gear I62 will be turned in a clockwise direction, engaging the camera operating lever I14, which is caused to be moved in a contraclockwise direction and the camera shutter release lever 86 is caused to be moved in a clockwise direction through the pin 88.

As the camera release lever 86 moves in a clockwise direction, the capping gate I65, I66 are caused to be opened, and when they reach their fully opened condition the shutter is released and the shutter curtain 92 will travel to the position shown in Fig. 3 wherein the wide open slot Il3 will be in position before the camera exposure opening. The shutter curtain 92 will be held in this position until the camera is recycled.

As the capping gate I66 is caused to open and consequently opens capping gate I65, the hook member I35 is moved downward by the latching plate I36, and as the capping gate I66 starts to move in a left-hand direction viewing Fig. 3, the latching plate I 36 will be engaged by the hook member I35 and thus prevents the closing of the capping gates I65, I66, causing the hook member I35 to be moved to the left viewing Fig. 10 and causing the switch operating button I5I to be moved to the left, as will also be moved the switch spring I49, thus operating the switch I43 to open the contacts I46 and. I 41 and to close the contacts I45 and I41. The motor will now be stopped and the circuit will be in the condition shown in Fig. 11, wherein the contacts I66 and I69 are closed, the contacts I45 and I 41 are closed, and

the contacts I46 and I41 are opened, thus opening the circuit to the coil I18a of the motor relay I18, thus stopping the motor.

' The camera will remain in this condition until the circuit is again closed at the switch 265 or at a second remote switch 2 I6'to be subsequently referredto. A the switch 265 is closed, a circuit will be completed across the wires 261 and 269. Current will then flow from battery I15 through wire I86, wire I81, fuse 28, wire I88, wire 26I,

wire 269, switch 265, wire 261, wire 266, wire I9.I,

switch I86, wire I92, wire 2 to thesolenoid II5, wire 2I2, contacts I45 and I41, switch arm I48, wire I96, wire I91 and Wire I98. This will complete a circuit to the solenoid magnet II5, thus operating the hook member I35, thereby disengaging the capping gate I66 which will be allowed to close, together with the capping gate I65. The contacts I45 and I41 will be opened and the contacts I46 and I41 will be closed. The camera motor will now be caused to operate because the contacts I 68 and I69 of the motor switch I66 are closed and will remain closed until the notch I65 of the cam I64 reaches the switch operating pin I16, at which time the contacts I 88 and I69 will be opened, thus stopping the camera motor, and at this time the camera will have been completely recycled. That is to say, the shutter curtain will have been rewound and a new area of sensitized material will be fed into position for a second photograph.

The circuit to th motor 204 of the intervalometer is completed through wire 288, motor 204, switch 203, wire 2I3 to the wire 2 which connects to the common wire I88, and the wire 209 which connects to the other common wire. Thus upon the closing of the switch 203 the intervalometer will be caused to operate.

Such intervalometer is so constructed that it can be set for any number of contacts. For example, if the intervalometer is set to make one contact and then to stop the camera will be caused to stop with the full open aperture of the curtain in position for making an exposure, and the capping gates I05, I08 will be held open and they may and will if desired be caused to be closed by momentarily completing a circuit at the second remote switch H0, or if desired, within the scope and purpose of my invention, a photocell is connected to an amplifier and relay, thereby to cause the second remote switch 2I0 to be short circuited, thus allowing the capping gates I05, I06 to be closed and the camera to recycle.

Such photocell, when employed by me in the practice and within the scope of my invention, is operated by the light radiating or emanating from the flash bomb dropped from the airplane, thus causing the capping gates I08, I08 to be closed instantly after the flash of the bomb.

In Fig. 11A is represented a circuit diagram which is the same in all respects as the diagram of Fig. 11, excepting that instead of an intervalometer, there is provided a photocell, amplifier and relay, as therein indicated. The reference numerals upon said circuit diagram are otherwise the same as those on Fig. 11, and hence need not be again specifically referred to.

Another mode of operation within the practice and scope of my present invention is so to adjust or set the intervalometer that a predetermined time after the bomb has been released, the switch 205 will be momentarily closed, thus causing the camera to operate until it is stopped by the capping gate latching mechanism, and a. second contact is caused to take place at the switch 205 at a predetermined time, depending upon the altitude of the airplane when the bomb is dropped. This will cause the capping gates to be released in the manner previously described, thus causing the camera to recycle, thereby re winding the shutter and feeding a new area of film which will be stopped for a second exposure.

The foregoing constitutes novel means of my sole invention for synchronizing aerial cameras of the construction disclosed in the said co-pending application now Patent No. 2,371,592, with the light of a flash bomb dropped from an airplane. The camera having such synchronizing means of my invention has been used in service by the armed forces of the United States and has proven highly satisfactory.

For flashlight photography the capping gates are held open for a period greater than during the normal cycle. At the same time the capping gates are held open, the circuit through the camera driving motor is stopped. The mechanism for engaging the capping gates and stopping the motor can be put into action and out of action as desired. When put in action it is for the purpose of flashlight exposures. The wide opening oi the curtain shutter is used for flashlight pictures but no details or the shutter are herein claimed. When the hook member I38 is engaged by the latch member I88 of the capping gate I88, through switch I48, the camera. motor is stopped, but a circuit is completed to the solenoid winding II8, disengaging the latching plate I88 and allowing the two capping gates to close. Then the motor circuit is completed, through movement of the switch operating pin Iii, closing the contacts I48, I41, causing the camera cycle again to be restored.

For a normal cycle the shutter curtain is rewound, a new area of film is fed and the camera is then stopped by interrupting an electrical circuit to the camera motor. In order to carry out such normal cycle, the circuit is completed, the capping gates are opened and the shutter is released. Then the capping gates are closed, a new area of film is fed, the shutter is restored to set condition and the camera is again stopped.

The motor switch I68 is operated by the pin I18 acted upon by the cam I84. At the end of a cycle contacts I88 and I89 are opened and the contacts I81, I88 are closed. The shutter release lever 88 is turned by the pin 88, opening the capping gates I08, I08 and releasing the shutter which had been closed by the spring therefor, then closing the capping gates and opening the contacts I88, I88, stopping the camera motor. Assuming that the cycle selecting knob is set for a day cycle, the solenoid armature II! is inoperative (the contacts I41 and I45 of switch I43 being open and the contacts I46 and I41 being closed). To enable the operator to act without completing the circuit through the intervalometer (the receptacle wherefor is indicated at 4|), there is provided the switch I82 having contacts I83, I84 to be closed to start a 0 cycle. When said contacts m, m are closed,

a circuit is completed through the relay I18, so that current will flow to the motor which turns the first interrupted gear I82 and cam I64 until the motor switch I88 is operated through pin I10, thus breaking the circuit between the contacts I81, I88, but making contact between the contacts I88, I88. This completes the circuit to the relay I18 around the switch I82. Therefore the motor continues to operate until switch operating pin I18 is moved to the right, opening the circuit and stopping the motor.

For a night cycle, the curtain shutter is adjusted for the wide aperture thereof by the knob 24 and the knob 45 is set for a night cycle. The curtain shutter is now in fully rewound condition and is ready for exposure. The contacts I88, I88 are open and the camera is to be operated by the intervalometer, but can be cycled by the button 44 of the switch I82.

The intervalometer has a switch 203 that is to be closed by automatic means connected to the bomb releasing mechanism or it can be closed by the bombardier. The intervalometer motor 204 is operated, closing the switch 208 at a predetermined time, complcting the circuit around the switch I82, causing the camera to cycle; that is, the camera motor starts, turning the cam I84 until the pin I10 is moved to the left, closing the contacts I88, I88 and thus completing the circuit, and the camera motor continues to operate even though the switch 205 is opened by the intervalometer. As the camera motor continues to operate, the pin I13 moves the lever I14, moving the shutter release lever 88 through the pin 88. This opens the capping gates I05, I08, and

when fully open, the curtain shutter is released and the curtain travels to the position shown in Fig. 3, wherein its wide slot I I3 is in position before the camera exposure opening, and the curtain is held in such position until the camera is recycled.

As the capping gates I05, I06 open and as the capping gate I06 starts to close, the latching plate I36 is engaged by the hook member I35, thereby preventing the closing of the capping gates I05, I06 but the switch operating button I5I is moved to the left, operating the switch I43, thus stopping the camera-driving motor. The camera remains in this non-functioning condition until the circuit is again closed at the switch 205 or at the remote control switch 2H]. When the switch 205 is thus closed, a circuit is cornpleted across wires 201, 209, thus completing a circuit to the solenoid magnet I I5, operating the hook member I35, disengaging the capping gate we, thus permitting it to close with the gate I05. The camera motor now operates because the contacts I68, I69 of the motorswitch I56 are closed and they remain closed until the cam I64 acts on the pin I to open the contacts I68, I69, thereby to stop the camera motor, the camera now having been completely recycled because the curtain shutter has been rewound, and a new area of film fed, and the intervalometer is caused to operatethat is, it is placed in condition for carrying out its function. The intervaiometer is of a type such that it can be set for any number of contacts, whether one or more. If set for one contact, it then stops after functioning, and the camera stops with the full open aperture II3 of the curtain shutter in exposure position and the capping gates I05, I06 will be held open, as described, and they can be closed through the remote control switch 2I6, or a photocell (not shown) can be used to control the remote control switch 2"], thus allowing the capping gates I05, I06 to be closed and the camera to recycle. Such photocell is operated by light radiating from a fiash bomb, or, if desired, the intervalometer can be set so that at a predetermined time after the bomb is released, the switch 205 is closed, causing the camera to operate until it is stopped by the capping gate latching mechanism, and a second contact takes place at the switch 205 at a predetermined time, causing the capping gates I05, I06 to be released as described, and the camera to recycle by rewinding the curtain shutter and feeding the film.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to an automatic, flash-operated camera. In its broader aspect it includes a curtain shutter having release means and winding means, means to support a film and means to cause a new area of the film to be fed before the exposure opening during each camera cycle capping gates, means for opening said capping gates and spring means for closing said capping gates. There is also provided latching means for holding the capping gates in the said open condi tion and a solenoid magnet for releasing said I capping gates from the latching means to permit them to close. An electrical switch is provided controlled by the said capping gates for interrupting the electrical circuit, also a motor and a source of electrical potential and circuiting means for such motor. Means is provided under the control of the operator for selectively controlling the camera. cycle, thereby changing from a normal cycle wherein a circuit is completed to the camera motor so as first to cause the capping gates to be opened, then releasing the curtain shutter and allowing it to open and close andthe capping gates to close, then re- -winding the curtain shutter and feeding a new area of film before the exposure aperture. In the modified cycle, the capping gates are caused to be opened, the curtain shutter is released and is permitted to run to the open condition thereof.- The capping gates start to close but are prefied cycle.

Having thus described a single embodiment of' my invention, it is to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A photographic camera provided with the following, in combination: film-covering means including a curtain shutter; releasing means and rewinding means for said shutter; means to support and to feed a film in a succession of exposure cycles; a motor operatively connected to said shutter and to said film feeding means to release said shutter, to rewind the same and to feed into position an unexposed area of film, in each of a succession of photographic cycles; means which is effective to increase the length of time the film is exposed, said means being responsive to the action'of a flashlight to cause the resumption of the action of the camera in any cycle of such succession of cycles in which a flashlight acts upon the said means responsive thereto, said mechanism acting to interrupt the camera cycle when the shutter is in the open condition with the sensitized material uncovered for exposure, and acting thereafter, because of the action of said flashlight, to cause the resumption of said cycle, whereby, in such cycle in which a flashlight acts upon the means responsive thereto, the period during which the film is displayed for exposure is compensatingly increased.

2. A photographic aerial camera provided with a focal-plane curtain shutter, releasing means for'said shutter, rewinding means for said shutter, means to support a film and to feed the film for exposure in each of a succession of photographic cycles, an electric motor with circuiting means connected to a source of potential, means controlled by said motor to release said shutter, to rewind the said shutter and to feed the film, all in each of a succession of cycles, thereby performing the steps of said cycles, and means to port a film and to feed an unexposed leading area thereof, all acting in each of a succession of photographic cycles; an electric motor, electric circuiting means therefor adapted to be connected to a source of potential; said camera having means which is effective to increase the length of time the film is exposed, said means being responsive to the action of a flashlight to cause the resumption of operation of the camera, capping gate means in advance of the curtain shutter, means to open and to close said capping gate means in each cycle, and means acted upon by said means responsive to a flashlight for controlling the olosing of the capping gate means in a cycle in which the means responsive to a flashlight acts, whereby the said capping gate means remain open longer, in the cycle in which said means responsive to a flashlight acts, than the capping gate means remains open in normal cycles, i. e. in which no flashlight acts upon said means responsive thereto.

4. In a photographic camera of the aerial type wherein there is provided an electric motor to operate the functioning parts of the camera in a succession of cycles, a curtain shutter having releasing means and rewinding means, means to support a film and to feed an unexposed leading area thereof, all in each of such succession of cycles, a pair of capping gates to exclude from the film the light coming through the objective lens and positioned between the objective lens and the curtain shutter, means to open the capping gates for a part of each cycle of said succession of cycles, means to hold said capping gates open in a modified cycle of the said succession of cycles, and synchronizing means responsive to a flashlight, such as from an exploded bomb dropped from the airplane having such camera, to release such holding means for said capping gates, whereby said capping gates are held open in such modified cycle for a period which is longer than the capping gates are open in each of the unmodified cycles, thereby lengthening the period the film is uncovered for exposure in the modified cycle.

5. A photographic aerial camera provided with a focal plane curtain shutter, releasing means for said shutter, rewinding means for said shutter, means to support a film and feed the film for exposure in each of a succession of photographic cycles, an electric motor with circuiting means connected to a source of potential, means controlled by said motor to release said shutter, to rewind the said shutter and to feed the film, all in each of a succession of cycles, thereby performing the steps of said cycles, and including means acting in each of said cycles to make the film-display period of the same length, means which is effective to vary the length of time the film is exposed, said means being also responsive to the action of a flashlight to cause the resumption of operation of the camera in a predetermined one at least of such succession of cycles by acting to interrupt such cycle when the shutter is in the open condition with the sensitized material uncovered for exposure and thereafter to resume such cycle, whereby the camera is adapted for day photography when using the non-modified cycles, and also for flashlight night photography when using the modified cycle.

6. A photographic aerial camera provided with a focal plane curtain shutter, releasing means for said shutter, rewinding means for said shutter, means to support a film and feed the film for exposure in each of a succession of photographic cycles, an electric motor with circuiting means connected to a source of potential, means controlled by said motor to release said shutter, to rewind the said shutter and to feed the film, all in each of a succession of cycles, thereby performing the steps of said cycles, and including means acting in each of said cycles to make the film display period of the same length, means which is efiective to increase the length of time the film is exposed, said means being also responsive to the action of a flashlight to cause the resumption of operation of the camera in a predetermined one at least of such succession of cycles by acting to interrupt such cycle when the shutter is in the open condition with the sensitized material uncovered for exposure and thereafter to resume such cycle, whereby the camera is adapted for day photography when using the non-modified cycles, and also for flashlight night photography, when using the modified cycle.

7. A photographic camera according to claim 4, but wherein the means to hold the capping gates open includes latching means for the capping gates, and wherein means are provided to permit said latching means to function so as to hold said capping gates open for a lengthened time interval in a modified cycle.

8. A photographic camera according to claim 4, but wherein the means to hold the capping gates open includes a latch adapted to engage one of the capping gates to hold said gates open for a lengthened time interval in a modified cycle, and wherein there is an electric motor circuit having a switch controlling the beginning of the engagement of the said latch with one of said capping gates.

9. A photographic structure according to claim 4, but wherein the means to hold the capping gates open includes a latch to engage one of the capping gates to hold said gates open for a lengthened time interval in a modified cycle, and wherein there is provided an electric circuit having a switch and means controlled thereby for effecting the engagement of said latch with one of said gates, and wherein there is provided a light-sensitive element to effect the closing of contacts of the electric circuit, and the disengagement of the latch from such capping gate.

10. A photographic structure according to claim 4, but wherein there is provided in the electric circuiting means a main switch automatically opened and closed once for each functioning cycle of the camera to stop and start the electric motor, and wherein, included in the means to hold the capping gates open in a modified cycle of said succession of cycles, there are provided latching means to hold said capping gates open in such modified cycle of said succession of cycles for a period extending beyond the time of closing said capping gates in the usual way at the end of each unmodified functioning cycle, thereby lengthening in such modified cycle the period the film is uncovered for exposure.

11. A photographic aerial camera provided with a focal plane curtain shutter, releasing means for said shutter, rewinding means for said shutter, means to support a film and feed the film for exposure in each of a succession of photographic cycles, an electric motor with circuiting means connected to a source of potential, means controlled by said motor to release said shutter, to rewind the said shutter and to feed the film, all in each of a succession of cycles, thereby performing the steps of said cycles, and including means acting in each of said cycles to make the film-display period of the same length, the camera having capping gate means to'exclude from the film light rays entering through the objective lens, means to open the capping gate means for a part of each cycle, and means responsive to a flashlight to vary the length of time the capping gate means is held open in a predetermined cycle, thereby varying the length of time the film is uncovered for exposure in and for such predetermined cycle.

12. A photographic aerial camera provided with a focal plane curtain shutter, releasing means for said shutter, rewinding means for said shutter, means to support a film and feedthe film for exposure in each of a succession of photographic cycles, an electric motor with circuiting means connected to a source of potential, means controlled by said motor to release said shutter, to rewind the said shutter and to feed the film, all in each of a succession of cycles, thereby performing the steps of said cycles, and including means acting in each of said cycles to make the film display period of the same length, the camera having capping gate means to exclude from the film the light rays entering through the objective lens, means to open the capping gate means for a part of each cycle, and means responsive to a flashlight to increase the length of time the capping gate means is held open in a predetermined cycle, thereby varying the length of time the film is uncovered for exposure in and for such predetermined cycle.

13. A photographic aerial camera provided with a focal plane curtain shutter, releasing means for said shutter, rewinding means for said shutter, means to support a film and feed the fllmfor exposure in each of a succession of photographic cycles, an electric motor with circuiting means connected to a source of potential, means controlled by said motor to release said shutter, to rewind the said shutter and to feed the film, all in each of a succession of cycles, thereby performing the steps of said cycles, and including means acting in each of said cycles to make the film-display period of the same length, the camera having capping gate means to exclude from the film the light rays entering through the objective lens, means to open the capping gate means for a part of each cycle, means responsive to a flashlight to hold the capping gate means open in a modified cycle for a length of time in excess of that during which the capping gate means is open in an unmodified cycle operation of the aerial camera, and synchronizing means to permit said capping gates to close in accordance with the functioning of the flashlight acting in such modified period.

14. A photographic aerial camera provided with a focal plane curtain shutter, releasing means for said shutter, rewinding means for said shutter, means to support a film and feed the film for exposure in each of a succession of photographic cycles, an electric motor with circuiting means connected to a source of potential, means controlled by said motor to release said shutter, to rewind the said'shutter and to feed the film, all in each of a succession of cycles, thereby performing the steps of said cycles, and including means acting in each of said cycles to make the film-display period of the same length, the camera having capping gate means to exclude from the film the light rays entering through the objective lens, means to open the capping gate means for a part 'of each cycle, capping gate holding means to increase the length of time the capping gate means is open in a predetermined cycle, in order to lengthen the period the film is uncovered for exposure, as when operating with a flashlight at night, means responsive to a flashlight to terminate in the predetermined cycle the holding action of said capping gate holding means, and means to break the circuit to the said electric motor for the lengthened period the capping gate means is held open.

15. A photographic aerial camera provided with a focal plane curtain shutter, releasing means for said shutter, rewinding means forsaid shutter, means to support a film and feed the film for exposure in each of a succession of photographic cycles, an electric motor with circuiting means connected to a source of potential, means controlled by said motor to release said shutter, to rewind the said shutter and to feed the film, all in each of a'succession of cycles, thereby performing the steps of said cycles, and including means acting in each of said cycles to make the film-display period of the same length, the camera having capping gate means to exclude from the film the light rays entering through the objective lens, means to open the capping gate means fora part of each cycle, capping gate holding means to increase the length of time the capping gate means is open in a predetermined cycle in order to lengthen the period the film is uncovered for exposure as when operating with a flashlight at night, means to break the circuit to the said electric motor for the lengthened period the capping gate means is held open, and means to render operative or inoperative at will the said means to break the circuit to the electric motor, so that the aerial camera may function in a normal cycle, or in a modified cycle for making flashlight exposures.

16. A photographic camera in accordance with claim 1, but wherein the camera is provided, in addition to said curtain shutter and as constituting a part of the film-covering means, with capping gate means located between said curtain shutter and the objective lens of the camera, and wherein means is provided to open said capping gate means in each exposure cycle at a time to admit light to the positioned, unexposed area of film for that cycle, and wherein the means responsive to a flashlight governs the length of time said capping gate means is maintained open in the cycle wherein a flashlight acts upon the said means responsive thereto.

17. A photographic camera in accordance with claim 1, but wherein the said motor is an electric motor in electric circuit with a source of potential, and wherein there is, in and controlled by said electric circuit, means to terminate the period the film is displayed-for exposure by a part of the film-covering means in any cycle of such succession of cycles in which a flashlight acts upon the said means responsive thereto.

18. A photographic camera in accordance with claim 1, but wherein the said motor is an electric motor in electric circuit with a source of potential, and wherein there is, in and controlled by said electric circuit, means to terminate the period the film is displayed for exposure by a part of the film-covering means in any cycle of such succession of cycles in which a flashlight acts upon the said means responsive thereto, and wherein as a part of the film-covering means the said camera is provided with capping gate means located between said curtain shutter and the objective lens of the camera, and wherein means is provided to maintain said capping gate means open until the flashlight acts upon the said means responsive thereto.

19. In a photographic camera of the aerial type provided with a casing, an objective lens, and an exposure opening, the following in combination: a curtain shutter having release means and winding means, and means to support a film and to feed an unexposed leading area thereof before the exposure opening of the camera, all during each camera cycle, whether normal or modified; capping gate means interposed between the objective lens and the positioned film; means for opening the capping gate means and means for closing said capping gate means; latch-like means for holding the capping gate means in open condition; an electric camera-operating motor with electric circuiting means therefor connected to a source of potential; a solenoid magnet in said electric circuiting means co-acting with said latch-like means to hold said capping gate means open in one position of the said solenoid and to release said latch-like means in the other position of said solenoid so as to permit the capping gate means to be closed by the action of the means for closing said capping gate means; an electrical switch in said electric circuiting means which is controlled by said capping gate means for interrupting the electrical circuit; means under the control of the operator for selectively controlling the said camera cycles so as thereby to change from a normal camera cycle (wherein a circuit is completed to the cameraoperating motor to cause the capping gate means to be opened, the curtain shutter to be released, the capping gate means to be closed, the curtain shutter to be rewound, and a new area of film fed before the camera exposure opening) to a modified camera cycle, wherein the capping gate means is opened, the curtain shutter is released and is permitted to run to an open condition thereof at the said exposure opening, and wherein the capping gate means starts to close but is pre vented from closing by the action of the said latch-like means, and wherein the motor circuit is then opened, allowing the said camera-operating motor to stop, thereby completing the first part of the said modified cycle, and wherein upon the completion of a circuit to the solenoid for the said latch-like means the capping gate means is allowed to be closed, and wherein when the capping gate means is released by the said latchlike means the electric circuit is again restored to the said camera-driving motor, thus allowing the camera to complete its said modified cycle.

20. A combination according to claim 19, but wherein the means to close the capping gate means is spring actuated.

21. A combination according to claim 19, but wherein a manually operated button-like member is provided, to be operated by a bombardier or other authorized person, to close the circuit to the said solenoid magnet, thereby permitting the capping gate means to be closed by the said closing means therefor.

22. A combination according to claim 19 but wherein the capping gate means consists of two pivoted gates opening away from and closing toward each other.

23. A combination according to claim 19, but wherein the curtain shutter consists of a single curtain having at least one narrow opening for instantaneous exposure, to be used in the normal cycles, and having a wider opening to be used in the modified cycles.

24. In a photographic camera of the aerial type provided with a casing, an objective lens. and an exposure opening, the following. in combination: a curtain shutter having release means and winding means, and means to support a film and to feed an unexposed leading area thereof before the exposure opening of the camera, all during each camera cycle, whether normal or modified; capping gate means interposed between the objective lens and the positioned film; means for opening the capping gate means and means for closing said capping gate means; latch-like means for holding the capping gate means in open condition; an electric camera-operating motor with electric circuiting means therefor connected to a source of potential; a solenoid magnet in said electric circuiting means co-acting with said latch-like means to hold said capping gate means open in one position of the said solenoid and to release said latch-like means in the other position of said solenoid so as to permit the capping gate means to be closedv by the action of the means for closing said capping gate means; an electrical switch in said electric circuiting means which is controlled by said capping gate means for interrupting the electrical circuit; and intervalometer for selectively controlling the said camera cycles so as thereby to change from a normal cycle (wherein a circuit is completed to the camera-operating motor to cause the capping gate means to be opened, the curtain shutter to be released, the capping gate means to be closed, the curtain shutter to be rewound, and a new area of film fed before the camera exposure opening), to a modified camera cycle, wherein the capping gate means is opened, the curtain shutter is released and is permitted to run to an open condition thereof, and wherein the capping gate means starts to close but is prevented from closing by the action of the said latch-like means, and wherein the motor circuit is then opened, allowing the said cameraoperating motor to stop, thereby completing the first part of the said modified cycle, and wherein upon the completion of a circuit to the solenoid for the said latch-like means the capping gate means is allowed to be closed, and wherein when the capping gate means is released by the said latch-like means the electric circuit is again restored to the said camera-driving motor, thus allowing the camera to complete its said modified cycle.

25. In a photographic cam'era of the aerial type provided with a casing, an objective lens, and an exposure opening, the following, in combination: a curtain shutter having release means and winding means, and means to support a film and to feed an unexposed leading area thereof before the exposure opening of the camera, all during each camera cycle, whether normal or modified; capping gate means interposed between the objective lens and the positioned film; means for opening the capping gate means and means for closing said capping gate means; holding means to hold the capping gate means in open condition; an electric camera-operating motor with electric clrcuiting means therefor connected to a source of potential; a solenoid magnet in said electric circuiting means co-acting with said holding means to hold said capping gate means open in one position of the said solenoid and to release said holding means in the other position of said solenoid, so as to permit the capping gate means to be closed by the action of the means for closing said capping gate means; an

electrical switch in said electric circuiting means.

which is controlled by said capping gate means for interrupting the electrical circuit; means under the control of the operator for selectively controlling the said camera cycles so as thereby to change from a normal camera cycle (wherein a circuit is completed to the camera-operating motor to cause the capping gate means to be opened, the curtain shutter to be released, the capping gate means to be closed, the curtain shutter to be rewound, and a new area. of film fed before the camera exposure opening) to a modified camera cycle wherein the capping gate means is opened, the curtain shutter is released and is permitted to run to an open condition thereof at the said exposure opening, and wherein the capping gate means starts to close but is prevented from closing by the action of the said holding means, and wherein the motor circuit is then opened, allowing the said camera-operating motor to stop, thereby completing the first part of the said modified cycle, and wherein upon the completion of a circuit to the solenoid for the said holding means the capping gate means is allowed to be closed, and wherein when the capping gate means is released by the said holding means the electric circuit is again restored to the said camera-driving motor, thus allowing the camera to complete its said modified cycle.

26. In a photographic camera of the aerial type provided with a casing, an objective lens, and an exposure opening, the following, in combination: a curtain shutter having release means and winding means, and means to support a film and to feed an unexposed leading area thereof before the exposureopening of the camera, all during each camera cycle, whether normal or modified; capping gate means interposed between the objective lens and the positioned film; means for opening the capping gate means and means for closing said capping gate means; holding means to hold the capping gate means in open condition; an electric camera-operating motor with electric circuiting means therefor connected to a source of potential; a solenoid magnet in said electric circuiting means co-acting with said holding means to hold said capping gate means open in one position of the said solenoid and to release said holding means in the other position of said solenoid, so as to permit the capping gate means to be closed by the action of the means for closing said capping gate means; an electrical switch in said electric circuiting means, which is controlled by said capping gate .means for interrupting the electrical circuit; means for selectively controlling the said camera cycles so as thereby to change from a normal camera cycle (wherein a circuit is completed to the camera-operating motor to cause the capping gate means to be opened, the curtain shutter to be released, the capping gate means to be closed, the curtain shutter to be rewound, and a new area of film fed before the camera exposure opening) to a modified camera cycle wherein the capping gate means is opened, the curtain shutter is released and is permitted to run toan open condition thereof at the said exposure opening, and wherein the capping gate means starts to close but is prevented from closing by the action of the said holding means, and wherein the motor circuit is then opened, allowing the said cameraoperating motor to stop, thereby completing the first part of the said modified cycle, and wherein upon the completion of a circuit to the solenoid for the said holding means the capping gate means is allowed to be closed, and wherein when the capping gate means is released by the said I holding means the electric circuit is again restored to the said camera-driving motor, thus allowing the camera to complete its said modified cycle.

27. A combination in accordance with claim 26, but wherein the means for completing a circuit to the solenoid magnet for the purpose of releasing the capping gate means and thereby completing a modified cycle is a photocell.

28. A photographic aerial camera in accordance with claim 2, but wherein an intervalometer with a switch closing the circuit to the motor is provided for operating the camera in the modified cycle.

29. A photographic aerial camera in accordance with claim 2, but wherein an intervalometer with a switch closing the circuit to the motor is provided for operating the camera in the modified cycle, and wherein the said switch has means for automatically closing the same through the operation of the bomb releasing mechanism of the airplane carrying the camera.

30. A photographic aerial camera in accordance with claim 2, but wherein there are provided an amplifier and relay in cooperative relation with the photoelectric cell means.

31. A photographic aerial camera in accordance with claim 2, but wherein an intervalometer with a switch closing the circuit to the motor is provided for operating the camera in the modified cycle, and wherein the intervalometer is adjustable, so that at a predetermined time after the bomb has been released a switch of the circuit will be momentarily closed by the intervalometer to cause the camera to operate.

32. A photographic aerial camera in accordance with claim 2, but wherein capping gate means are provided to exclude from the film light rays entering through the objective lens, and where means are provided to open said capping ga e means in each functioning cycle before the exposure is made, and wherein, for the production of the modified cycle, means are provided to latch open said opened capping gate means, thereby providing for an increase in the length of the film-displayed period of such modified cycle, and wherein means are provided automatically to stop the motor during such modified cycle.

OSCAR STEINER. 

